Meeting discusses causes, solutions to road mishaps

Orders installation of cameras, protective shields around wheels of dumpers

KARACHI:

A meeting was held at the Central Police Office (CPO) in Karachi to discuss sustainable and long-term solutions to deadly traffic accidents and other traffic issues.

During the meeting, the Sindh Police directed truck and dumper owners to install cameras, trackers, and protective shields around vehicle wheels within three months.

The meeting was chaired by IGP Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon and attended by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Zaidi, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho, Provincial Transport Secretary Asad Zaman, Zonal DIGs, DIGs of Driving License and Traffic, District and Traffic SSPs, secretaries, representatives from PTA and RTA, and other officials.

DIG Traffic gave a detailed briefing on the traffic problems, accidents, and their causes on city's roads, as well as suggesting short and long-term measures. He said the main causes include untrained drivers, poor vehicle and road conditions, the physical and mental health of drivers, lack of traffic light signals and other infrastructure, and the outdated system of issuing traffic fines. He emphasised the urgent need to align driver training and courses at par with global standards and establish certified driving schools at public and private levels.

Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi stated that heavy and light vehicles are equally responsible for fatal accidents. He said, immediate and practical steps are needed to prevent them.

The Transport Secretary informed the meeting that the Transport Department had already started commercial vehicle fitness inspections. Two fitness centres have been established in the province, with six more to become operational in the coming months. He suggested that obtaining a driving licence, particularly for a commercial vehicle, should be conditional upon certification from an accredited driving school.

Karachi Police Chief emphasised the need for a strategic plan with stakeholders to swiftly install trackers and cameras on heavy vehicles. He also stressed the importance of driver training schools and emphasized on the establishment of such schools through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.